Maintain F1 Status

As a student on an F1 visa, you accept certain responsibilities in exchange for the ability to study in the U.S. To maintain your F1 status, it is important to understand and carry out these responsibilities. Not doing so may jeopardize your status and, thus, your right to stay in the U.S. The following is a summary of your responsibilities.

 

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1. Keep your passport valid at all times 
https://www.usembassy.gov/  Web sites of many foreign embassies in the United States.)

 

2. Keep all previously issued I-20 from all schools attended including Columbus State Community College, copy of I-94 record from www.cbp.gov/i94, copy of your visa stamp, and any other forms or correspondence to or from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

 

3. Maintain full-time enrollment status.

You must enroll in at least 12 credit hours each semester (Autumn and Spring), and at least 9 of those credit hours must be in in-person or blended (hybrid) classes. Only 3 credit hours of online or distance education courses can be counted toward the 12-credit full-time enrollment requirement.

Do not drop below 12 credit hours at any time during any semester without permission of an International Student Advisor. Please be aware of the following concerning this regulation:

1.  You must have the permission from an International Student Advisor before dropping below 12 credit hours at anytime during any semester.
2.  It is not permitted to schedule 12 or more credit hours, and then drop a class, bringing the total hours of enrollment below 12 credit hours.
3.  The USCIS recognizes the following situations as justifying enrollment at lower than the 12 hour minimum. If you believe any of these situations apply to you, you must consult with an International Student Advisor to receive an appropriate recommendation and prior approval before dropping below full-time enrollment. Without a DSO's approval and SEVIS update, dropping below a full course of study can result in a termination of your F-1 status. 
   • Having initial difficulties with the English language.
   • Having initial difficulties with reading requirements.
   • Experiencing initial unfamiliarity with American teaching methods.
   • Inappropriately placed in a course.
   • In the final term and enrolled for less than 12 credit hours needed to complete the program of study.
   • Concurrently enrolled at another SEVIS approved school. Enrolled in the equivalent of a full course of study through combined enrollment.
   • Ill or has a medical condition. You must submit medical documentation from your licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist with the request for reduced course load (RCL.) Reduced course load for medical conditions can be granted for no more than 12 months in the aggregate during any one course of study and must be reauthorized the RCL each semester.
4. Be sure to plan your course schedule in such a way each semester that you will be able to maintain the full-time enrollment requirement all the way until graduation. (It does not meet the USCIS full-time requirement to take an overload of general education course work early in your studies, and then have only a few hours of technical course work left to take each semester at the end of your studies.)
5. Please be aware that your academic advisor and representatives of other college offices may not know about the full-time requirement. Be sure to make them aware of the requirement when discussing course registration options.
6. Annual Vacation Term: Summer is the only term that F-1 students at Columbus State may claim as their annual vacation. During this term, full-time enrollment is not required if you were enrolled full time in both the previous Spring semester and plan to enroll full time in the upcoming Autumn semester. If Summer is your first or final semester, or if you are returning from a leave of absence, you must consult an International Student Advisor to confirm your eligibility.

 

4. Make a normal progress towards completing the course of study, by completing studies before the expiration of the program completion date on Form I-20. 

Complete your course of study by the program completion date in SEVIS. You will be considered to be “out of status,” unless you qualify for a program extension. Your SEVIS record must be updated with the program extension prior to the program completion date on your current Form I-20. 

Mandatory reduction in course load following poor academic performance would be viewed as a failure to pursue a full course of study, unless it could be authorized under one of the reduced course load provisions. Academic probation or suspensions are not acceptable reasons for program extension, unless other “compelling academic or medical reasons” exist to support the extension request. 

Student suspension by the school as a result of academic performance (preventing the Student from enrolling in a full course of study) is viewed by USCIS as a failure to make normal progress toward his or her educational goal. 

Failing courses in consecutive terms is an indication of student not making normal progress and maintaining status.

 

5. Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for extension of stay. (See international student advisor for more information prior to completion date of study on I-20.)

 

6. Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for change in educational levels or programs of study. (See international student advisor for more information.)

 

7. Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for transfer of schools. (See international student advisor for more information.)

 

8. Abide by the F-1 grace period rules, including remaining in the U.S. for no longer than 60 days after completing a full course of study, unless prior to completing the course of study the student has followed procedures for applying for practical training, moving educational levels, or school transfer. 

 

Grace periods

• An F-1 student may remain in the United States for up to 60 days beyond either the completion date on Form I-20, or the completion of the program of study, if earlier than the date on Form I-20, to prepare to depart the United States or to transfer schools.
• An F-1 student who has been granted an authorized withdrawal by an international student advisor may remain in the United States for up to 15 days following the withdrawal noted in SEVIS, to prepare to depart the U.S.
• An F-1 student who fails to maintain status, or withdraws from school or otherwise terminates or interrupts his or her course of studies without first obtaining international student advisor approval in SEVIS, the student is not eligible for any grace period, and would be considered under the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) regulations to be out of status.

 

9. Report a change of address to the international student advisor within 10 days of the change.  You must first submit a change of address in Self-Service, go to “User Options,” and update your address. After you have completed the update in your student record, you must email an International Student Advisor within 10 days to confirm the change so that your SEVIS record can be updated. An International Student Advisor will then update your SEVIS record within 21 days, as required, which fulfills your obligation to notify DHS of the address change.

 

10. Do not work off-campus without authorization. Unauthorized off-campus work is a violation of F-1 status and can lead to severe consequences, including the termination of the student's immigration status.  (See international student advisor for more information.)

 

Terms: 

D/S (duration of status) 
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) 
DHS (Department of Homeland Security) 
USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) 

References: 

NAFSA Adviser’s Manual 
USCIS.gov
ICE.gov